What you can do to prepare yourself for wildfire evacuation | Destined to Burn

10 tips to help you and your family get ready for a fire

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From left, volunteers Melissa Scarpelli, 16, of Chico, Nikki Havens, 17, of Chico, and David Levis, of Sacramento, sort through donated children’s clothing as the area where volunteers have offered assistants to those displaced by the Camp Fire gets ready to shutdown in Chico, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018. The tent city and parking lot that served as a refuge for some people left homeless by the Camp Fire will likely disappear by the end of the weekend. The occupants are encouraged to move to evacuation shelters and other living spaces for their longer-term health and safety. (Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group)

Note: This is part of a special investigation series “Destined to Burn” analyzing the wildfire crisis California faces. The collaboration includes the Chico Enterprise-Record, Sacramento Bee, USA Today and Associated Press.

Concerned for your own and your family’s safety in a wildfire evacuation? Here are 10 things you can do to prepare now:

1. Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts. Cal Fire’s emergency app is at www.readyforwildfire.org/Ready-for-Wildfire-App

2. Identify several routes to take to safety. Know your community’s evacuation plans (if there are any, and if they’re public).

3. Practice driving the evacuation routes listed in number two. If you know ahead of time what places would be designated shelter locations, practice driving there from your home.

4. Have a plan for pets and livestock.

5. Keep important documents in a fireproof safe or in a safety deposit box. Create password-protected digital copies to put in a second secure location.

6. Keep a pair of sturdy shoes and a flashlight near your bed in case of a sudden evacuation at night.

7. Have an easily-accessible list of emergency contact numbers for family, friends, doctors, insurance, veterinarians if you are a pet owner, etc. Keep a copy in your emergency supply kit.

8. Keep assembled pet carriers and leashes ready, and put your name and cellphone number —and your vet’s name and office number —on carriers.

9. Have a practice drill with your family to make sure everyone knows what to do in the event of a real evacuation.